Summary

Fortum Oyj, a Finnish energy provider, partnered with the IBM Garage for Sustainability to explore and co-create a greener energy future. Our collaboration was organized into three Garage Squads, which began by identifying key value streams for Fortum.

We then conducted an in-depth analysis of the energy ecosystem, focusing specifically on the challenges faced by Charging Point Operators (CPOs) related to energy volatility.

Our objectives included understanding, analyzing, and visualizing investment opportunities for Fortum within the energy sector.

Additionally, we mapped out the CPO journey and developed a digital product designed to incentivize CPOs to participate in Energy Orchestration, a critical solution concept that emerged from our research process.

The Problem

Fortum faced the critical need to decarbonize its business to comply with regulations and societal expectations. The shift to renewable energy presented unique challenges:

Energy Volatility: Imbalances in supply and demand due to unpredictable renewable energy production risked grid stability.

Organizational Silos: Limited collaboration between departments hindered innovation and alignment on shared goals.

Complexity in Communication: Difficulty conveying the intricacies of energy orchestration to stakeholders created a barrier to understanding and action.

Strategic Uncertainty: Fortum struggled to prioritize investments and rapidly innovate in a fast-changing energy ecosystem.

The Urgency

We have about 5 years to reverse climate change before its effects become too threatening to ignore. Society and Fortum’s clients have to decarbonize.

Policy makers are enforcing stronger environmental regulation, demanding green solutions for both energy and mobility.

Increasing the production of renewable energy as well as the electrification of mobility are both important in slowing down climate change.

The renewables and e-mobility market is growing; incumbents & new entrants are finding opportunities in new green business models.

Process/Research

Research and Analysis:

• Conducted stakeholder interviews to identify pain points in the energy grid and uncover opportunities for improvement.

• Performed ecosystem mapping, detailing the interconnected systems of energy producers, storage solutions, and consumers.

  • Collaborated with data scientists and strategists to translate technical challenges into actionable user insights.

Vision Development:

• Co-created Fortum’s vision for an Energy Orchestration Platform that integrates renewables, stabilizes the grid, and enhances customer experience.

• Designed a service blueprint to clarify the roadmap for implementation, bridging gaps between Fortum’s silos.

Process/Wireframes

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Process/Testing

• Developed low- and high-fidelity prototypes for a flexible battery storage solution designed to manage grid volatility and improve EV charging efficiency.

• Facilitated usability testing sessions with key stakeholders to validate and refine the solution, ensuring alignment with business goals and user needs.

Process/Iterations

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Process/Challenges & Solutions

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Process/Outcome & Impact

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